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Florida's climate makes golf a possibility year-round. Some leading professional golfers live in Florida, and many professional golf events take place there. The state is a course designer's dream, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Florida has many well-known private golf courses.

Seminole Golf Club

Seminole Golf Club, in Juno Beach, is one of the most exclusive clubs in the country, having fewer than 300 members. Ben Hogan, one of history's best golfers, used to practice on this course the month leading up to the Masters event. Seminole, opened in 1929, was designed by Donald Ross, who also laid out Pinehurst No. 2 and Oak Hill. The course plays 6,787 yards and runs along the Atlantic Ocean. It was named the 13th best course in the country by Golf Magazine in 2009. It features an open layout reminiscent of a Links design, but all that open space won't benefit an unfocused player. The greens are firm, six greens are elevated more than 40 feet and all the putting surfaces are sloped and surrounded by bunkers. Ocean breezes can take decent approach shots and blow them into the traps. Seminole Golf Club 901 Seminole Blvd. Juno Beach, FL 33408-2530 561-626-0280

Plantation Golf and Country Club

Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice offers two private 18-hole championship golf courses. The longer of the two, the Bobcat Course, measures 6,813 yards from the back tees. The Bobcat features a sweeping layout with hidden greens. The long, arching doglegs, such as the one found on the 523-yard, par-5 16th feature rolling fairways and lakes between the landing area and the putting surface. The shorter Panther Course plays at 6,427 yards from the back tees. This course is more punishing on errant tee shots as the thick Bermuda rough makes it a challenge to get up and down. The course features a bevy of deep pot bunkers and slicker putting surfaces. Together, the Bobcat and Panther annually host the LPGA Tour Qualifier. Plantation Golf and Country Club 500 Rockley Blvd. Venice, FL 34293 941-497-1479 plantationgcc.com

Jupiter Hills Club

Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta also offers two courses: the 7,344-yard Hills Course and the 6,812-yard Village Course. The Village Course offers a serene setting and a stark challenge. The Hills Course offers 80 feet of elevation changes -- something unusual in such a flat state. Designer George Fazio, though, didn't stop defying the elements there. Walk a round at Jupiter Hills and you'll discover an array of trees, including pine, palmetto and oak. It's better to be a big hitter than a smart hitter on this par-70 course, but a combination of the two just might allow you to survive it. Jupiter Hills Club 1800 SE Hill Club Terrace Tequesta, FL 33469-1794 561-746-5228 jupiterhillsclub.org

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About the Author

Sean Quinn is a writer and editor based in New York City. He has spent the last decade covering major sporting events from the NFL playoffs to the U.S. Open. He has written for the Kansas City Star and ESPN, among others. He is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.